Social Construction of the Self
Social Aspects – self uses language and
- Self is not discovered; it is made
through socialization process
Self-creation and the struggle for Cultural
Recognition
- We create ourselves by struggling with
cultural hassles then owning the
created self. We hide the ugly part of
our cultural nature.
The Looking Glass Self: Our sense of self is
influenced by other’s views of us
- Charleston H. Cooley – believe that
personal security you display in social
situations is determined by what you
believe other people think of you.
- Self-Labeling – occurs when we adapt
other’s labels explicitly into our self-
concept
Mead: The Stages of The Self
1. The Preparatory Stage – children
imitate significant others to learn
meaning
2. The Play Stage – children begin “role-
taking” in which they mentally assume
the perspective of another and respond
from that view-point.
3. The Game Stage – children are now
aware of their position in relationship to
the other numerous social positions in
society.
Anthropology
Self is Both Biological and Cultural Entity
Biological – The self is a living animal but
superior to animals due to certain factors
1. Physical Aspects – Self as the only
animal with a larger brain capacity
making him/her a rational animal
2.
symbol in a systematic manner allowing
him/her to communicate, and preserve
history, knowledge, culture, etc.; can
cooperate with others in larger
cooperation and invents new things for
survival
Cultural – because culture covers all customs,
traditions and capabilities of humans as they
function in society. Culture is:
1. Symbolic – tools and symbols were used
by our ancestors to mark significant
events and rituals
2. Learned – it is integrated in one’s
customs and beliefs and human can
assess is the customary actions are still
relevant
Enculturation – transmission of culture from
one generation to the next through
observation, use of language, rituals and
formal/informal education.
The Self and Person in Contemporary
Anthropology
- The environmental exposure starts
during conception.
- The child inside the mother’s womb
already hears the language, tastes the
food and feels the mother’s emotions
Western Culture – child is independent
Eastern Culture – child is depended
Self-Awareness – it permits one to assume
responsibility for one’s own conduct, to learn
how to react to others, and to assume variety of
roles. It starts at age 2.
Cultural Degradation
- Loss of particular culture due to
assimilation or loss of interest
- This can happen due to excessive
exposure to media in various forms.
Psychology
Psychological Views of the Self
- Focuses on the representation of an
individual based on his/her experiences
The Self as a Cognitive Construction
Cognitive Construction – a cognitive approach
that focuses on the mental processes rather
than the observable behavior.
William James and the ME-Self, I-Self
- The self has two sides;
o I or the Self as Knower (Pure
ego, experiencer, story teller,
present tense)
o Me or the Self as Known
(Empirical Self, experience, past
tense, story; it consists of 3
components;
 Material Self – things
that belong to us or
that we belong to
 Social Self – who we are
in a given social
situation
 Spiritual Self – is who
we are at our core.
Most intimate self.
Global Versus Differentiated Models
Global Self-Esteem
- Is a personality variable that represents
the way people generally feel about
themselves.
State Self-Esteem
- Refers to temporary feelings or bad
momentary emotional reactions.
Domain Specific Self-Esteem
- Focused on how people evaluate their
various abilities and attributes. Making
distinctions.
Real and Ideal Self Concepts
Karen Horney
- Believes that everyone experiences
basic anxiety that leads to conflict and
strive to cope and eventually develop
number of strategies
o Idealized Self – imaginary
picture of the self as the
possessor of unlimited powers
o Actual Self – the person one is
in everyday life, is often
despised because
o Real Self – revealed only as a
person begins to shed various
techniques developed to deal
with basic anxiety
Carl Rogers
- Established Person-Centered Theory
which discusses;
o Real Self – includes all those
aspects of one’s being and
one’s experiences that are
perceived in awareness by the
indiv.
o Ideal Self – revolves around
goals and ambitions in life.
Multiple vs. Unified Selves
Kenneth Gergen
- Believes that a person can undergo
several transitions in his life and create
multiple versions of himself.
o Multiple Selves – the capacities
we carry within us from
multiple relationships.
“Created” not “discovered”
o Unified Selves – this is
happening when our
 personality dynamics are
congruent, cohesive, and
consistent.
True Selves vs. False Selves
Donald Winicott
- Believes in True Self and False Self
o True Self – has a sense of
integrity or connected
wholeness that harks to the
early stage
o False Self – when the person
has to comply with external
rules and following social codes
The Self as Proactive and Agentic
Albert Bandura
- Social Cognitive Theory – discusses that
humans have the capacity to exercise
control over their own lives.
o Agent Self – known as the
executive function that allows
for action. This is how we make
choices and utilize our control
in situations and actions.
o Self-Efficacy – measure of one’s
ability to complete goals. High
Self Efficacy-accepts challenges;
Low Self-Efficacy – may avoid
challenges.
The Self in Western and Oriental/Eastern
Thought
Western
- Individuality of the psyche
- The individual self struggles to reconcile
the connection between ideal self or
perfect soul and the limited self or
sinful body.
- Self is molded to live a good and happy
life
- Arete – the ultimate goodness,
perfection, excellence
Eastern
- The self wants to attain perfection in
meditation and enlightenment
- Does not have the notion of the
separation of the body and soul. It is
always one self.
- Atman 0 is the seal of consciousness in
Indian Philosophy. It has different levels
but there is always one self.
Confucian Philosophy
- Emphasized the relational self and
social understanding of the self,
- The self is the ideal of a selfless person
who is willing to forget about his self-
interest in favor of the interest of the
community.
Individualism and Collectivism
Individualism
- “I” Identity
- Promotes individual goals, initiative and
achievement
- Individual rights and self-importance
- Independence
- Relying on others is seen as shameful
- Do things in their own
- Strive for own success
Collectivism
- Active member of society. Do what is
best for society as a whole rather than
themselves.
- The rights of everyone other than the
self is much more important
- Unity, brotherhood and selflessness.
- Working with others and cooperating is
the norm
- As a community more than as an
individual
The Social Construction of the Self in Western
Thought

Individualistic Self – at a young age, the child is

already taught to pursue what is best for the
self.

Self Sufficiency – presumes that a successful self

must be able to supple one’s needs without
external assistance

Self being Rational – the self should always be

based on logic

The Self as Embedded in Relationships and

Through Spiritual Development in Confucian
Thought-Eastern Construct

How the self relates to others, the divine being

and to nature

Confucius of Kung Fu Zi

- Ascertained the ancient Chinese

civilizations by establishing social order
wherein society will be led by wise
leaders who guaranteed peace,
prosperity and harmony.
- Junzi – refined and compassionate
person which is the new self formed in
the right education under a virtuous
teacher
- Ren – character of the self that sincerely
shows compassion for others and
embodies prioritizing the self interest of
others.